Improvement in swimming-machines



W- H. RIGHARDSONJ Swimming-Maohines.

No. 222,951. Pate nted Dec. 23, 1879.

INVENTOR:

WITNES dyad o/V TTORNEYS.

PETERS. PNOTWUTMOBRAaHER. WASHINGTON. D C.

, The float A is attached to two rods, B, at a UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE WILLIAM H. RICHARDSON, OF MOBILE, ALABAMA.

IMPROVEMENT lN SWIMMING-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 222 ,95l, datedDecember23, 1879; application filed September 10, 1879.

To all trhom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM HALL RICH- ARDSON, of Mobile, in the countyof Mobile and State of Alabama, have invented anew and usefulImprovement in Swimming-Machines, of which the following is a specifica'tion.

Figure l is a side elevation of my improved swimming-machine. Fig. 2 isa plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail View of thelower portion ofthe same.

The object'of this invention is to furnish a float provided with apropelling mechanism, the use of which will allow a swimmer to make hisway rapidly and safely through the water.

The invention consists in combining with a float a propeller operated byhand mechanism at one end and foot mechanism at the other, ashereinafter described.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A represents a float of sufficient buoyancy to sustain the mechanism andthe swimmer.

little distance from their forward ends. The forward ends of the rods Bare attached to the middle part ofa U-bar, 0, near its angles. The rearends of the rods B are attached to a bear ing-block, D. In the ends ofthe bar C revolves a shaft, E, which has cranks F formed upon orattached to its ends. To the shaft E is attached a large bevel-gearwheel, G, the teeth of which mesh into the teeth of a small bevel-gearwheel, H, attached to the forward end of a shaft, I. The shaftl revolvesin hearings in the center of the bar 0 in the float In the block A andin the bearing-block D.

1) revolves a shaft, J, which has cranks Kattached to or formed upon itsends. The cranks K have foot-rests L pivoted to them to receive the feetof the swimmer, and provided with straps for securing his feet in place.

To the shaft J is attached a large bevel-gear wheel, M, the teeth'ofwhich mesh into the teeth of a small bevel-gear wheel, N, attached tothe shaft I. The large gear-wheels G M are arranged upon the oppositesides of the shaft I, so as to balance each other. To the rear end ofthe shaft Iis attached a propeller, O, the wings of which are madelight, and have aring attached to their outer ends to strengthen andprotect them.

In using the machine the swimmer places his chest upon the float A,places his feet upon the foot-rests L, and grasps the cranks F with hishands, so that he may apply power to the propeller O with his hands andfeet, or with either hands or feet. In using the machineit should beheld in an inclined position, with its forward end above and its rearend below the surface of the water.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent- The combination of the float A, rods 13, U-bar 0, having hand crank-shaft E, block D,

having foot crank-shaft J, and the shaft I, carrying propeller 0, saidshafts being connected by bevel-gears, as shown and described.

WILLIAM HALL RICHARDSON.

Witnesses:

HARRY PILLAUS, S. G. STONE.

